My Blood Work Results! - Week 14 on Zepbound - Tirzepatide

[@LisaHouse-q1l]

Change your primary care physician. This is ridiculous. You deserve a supportive Dr. I moved and found the right Dr. this is nuts.

[@KetosisMom]

waitlists to get in with Drs around me are 6 months + so I have to be careful how I do that kind of move. Unless you pay for a concierge Dr - basically upfront payment for the year - you cannot get in to see anyone

[@lachesislooms9233]

Agreed. Crazy when doctors refuse to trust in science and that there are other specialists who know about their own area of medicine.

[@KetosisMom]

@lachesislooms9233 I feel like most my Dr's will say "I'll stay in my own lane" when I ask about things they don't usually agree with that another Dr has me on. But the internist usually disagrees with everything that every specialist does... and she is the one who refers me bc she doesn't want the liability of treating me for it lol

[@nellielee2915]

Thanks for sharing, very valuable information, and congratulations on your weight loss journey and good lab results. 🥰

[@KetosisMom]

that's what is most important to me. Improved HEALTH I know a lot of ppl want to see lbs go down. I wanted to see all green Labs. and my muscle go UP!

[@bnb97a16]

After 8 weeks on Zepbound my fasting insulin which is usually between 16-18 is now. 8.7 while my HgA1C is it’s usual 5.4. My NP was quite pleased!

[@KetosisMom]

that's great! only after 8 weeks! even better

[@TT-dx6nc]

I had the same problem, before i was prescribed zepbound, i went to NA through my Aetna insurance, the NA gave me the whole spew about how she doesn’t believe in weigh loss injections, she went on and on with it, i can do myself with diet and exercise, by that time i zone out. So i found a weight loss clinic that wasn’t far from my house, boy did i get lucky, the wonderful doctor there prescribed me zepbound, the clinic weights me and they check my bmi once a month. she’s wonderful and her clinic is wonderful. Thank you for your videos

[@KetosisMom]

sometimes you have to "Dr shop" and it's hard! especially when I am constantly sick all the time bc I have an autoimmune disease. I basically have to try and find 1 Dr while still paying to go to the other. I wish we could INTERVIEW Dr's before signing on in their offices!

[@reneeredding4861]

I am interested in Wegovy since it is easier to get but I would definitely prefer to stay on Zepbound.

[@KetosisMom]

Same. I'm going to look more in depth into wegovy bc I remember I initially said no, but I think I based it off people who had autoimmune saying they had issues with N&V really bad .. I need to go back to my notes!

[@jenf836]

I think im gonna give compound a shot before i consider wegovy.

[@KetosisMom]

Is there a reason? I'm collecting my 411 on wegovy. Is there a reason it's a no?

[@jenf836]

@@KetosisMom seems like more success on zepbound. And wegovy is still on shortage. I don’t want to chase around a drug and not lose weight. I willing to do compound for a month and if no success try wegovy.

[@KetosisMom]

@jenf836 maybe a good plan. I too am digging into all these compounding providers picking them apart myself just in case that is the route I HAVE to take

[@jenf836]

@@KetosisMom maybe it’s almost me getting this compound thing out the way. Will it work? Will it not? And move on kinda thing maybe. I have lost 40 lbs. im grateful if I could squeeze another 20 before i give up the chase i would be happy.

[@KetosisMom]

Well LMK what you decide. Ive been back and forth with Olympia pharmacy trying to get their 411. I thought that would be my go to - but theyre very tight lipped on their information and I dont like that. Im sitting with Hallandale right now via Emerge (bc there are less fees these overall) and I do know people who have been on Hallandale compounds (personally local to me) that have lost a lot. Some on compound wegovy some on compound tirzepatide and both have had over the top results. But I am with you. Will the compound work? will it not work? will it be a waste of $? Compounds are signifigantly more pricey for me than the $25 for zepbound. Yes I would love to be on 5 or maybe the 7.5 i thought i would be progressing to... but im stuck at 2.5 and only what 3 lbs lost this month? Im not exactly thrilled with that when I watch what I eat and track it etc. It's hard to make these decisions - and it doesnt help I dont exactly have Drs that are... willing to have conversations.

[@marlenerobinson3385]

Yes, I would be interested in taking a pill. In fact, I was thinking to switch to Rybelsus after my 7.5 script is done. So tired if tried to find the meds, and going without it until I find it, again.

[@KetosisMom]

I have not looked into Rybelsus to even know what it is..I will have to look this up. I know the one they are trying to make has muscle loss prevention, weightloss, and I believe osteoarthritis meds all in 1

[@anneogden1819]

Whoa. I cant believe the dr office comments! I would be out of there. My primary doc retired and a new PA met with me. Not even knowing me or asking me what i have done to lose weight he did a referral for bariatric surgery. I was so upset. I never went back!

[@KetosisMom]

this is the same office that asks me to do bariatric every single time, yes. And I don't like surgery and I told them I looked into other ppl with autoimmune feedback that had bariatric and not 1 I talked to recommended doing it and most are on these drugs now even AFTER surgery 🤯

[@olivejooce]

Sounds like you need a new primary. They don't seem supportive at all. Stating that they were going to put you on a HBP because it was slightly elevated (AFTER a breathing test) is a big red flag. They probably get a kickback for prescribing the HBP meds and do not get a kickback for the Tirzepatide brands (hence why they don't prescribe it).

[@KetosisMom]

I LOVE that you said this bc so many ppl thought I was lying when I said PCPs and really ALL Dr's get kickbacks for what they are prescribing out EVEN THOUGH this is supposed to be illegal 🫣 I have moved about every 2 years and every single state I have been in providers want to change my meds I am on...and for what reason??? hmm

[@craftingwithcammie8358]

Agree. If that dr treated me that way I would find someone else. I was on naltrexone and it didn't work. I have pcos as well. So when the naltrexone didn't work she suggested weight loss surgery?? It's funny insurance won't cover zepbound but they pay for surgery?

[@KetosisMom]

a lot of insurances are like this I am seeing a lot of comments like this. It doesn't make sense bc the ppl I have spoken to AFTER surgery are still going on these meds... so... why even do the surgery? is my mindset

[@RhondaNelson]

WTG on your lab work. I can’t believe your pcp is not on board I would say time for a new pcp. I caught covid for the first time this week. Thought it was sinus.good thing is I was down 3 lbs not sure if it was covid related or the mj. Are you measuring yourself? Don’t do lab work until end of June but will be interested to see how I am doing.

[@KetosisMom]

yes. I measure. weigh. and take photos as well. bc sometimes I see a photo compared to the last month photo and I'm ok even if the scale has not moved haha

[@jenf836]

Lol. I would be removing myself from their practice to be honest.

[@KetosisMom]

I don't know there is another provider seeing new patients is the problem. they used to be out here by where I live then they moved and I was going to switch then and couldn't find anyone new seeing new patients. But yes I get angry everytime I go there bc its always here is a weightloss magazine and "you'd feel better if you just lost weight" like I don't KNOW that. I may ask my new Endo Dr who she would suggest for Primary care/Internist

[@Lexiekween]

Completely agree I would remove myself as well, you don’t need that negativity besides the proof is in the pudding your labs are getting better!

[@KetosisMom]

Whats funny. They made a tech call and give me my results bc they didnt want to tell me they had gotten BETTER BAHAHHAAH ppppppfffff lol

[@jenf836]

@@KetosisMom that is funny.

[@ivalani]

Amazing how ignorant some medical practitioners are these days!

[@TJ-rb9rk]

I would be switching doctors.

[@KetosisMom]

easier said than done! no one really taking new patients and EVERY Dr I have ever had just tells me I need to lose weight and moves on...

[@TJ-rb9rk]

@@KetosisMom it is but imagine if you found the right one 🫶🏻

[@RebeccaStevens-t2c]

I'm just gathing information by watching all of your videos. I have not jumped in and if I did, it would be a compound due to my current insurance. Would you consider discussing travel internationally? I traveled to Thailand for 30 days, and other various countries for 2-3 weeks. I'm trying travel 2-3x a year internationally. I also travel for work in the U.S., spending a week in a hotel at least once a month. How would you navigate drug storage on long haul flights, needing a medication shipment when away from your home address, and all the nuances that come with being away from home. Thanks!!

[@KetosisMom]

I do know you can travel with these both mfg brand and compound (vials)...within the US. Bc I have a 6+ hour flight coming up followed by a 2.5 hr drive after we land. I know it's recommended to travel with it on ice. I will look up the exact #of days it is ok at room temp. I want to say 21 days ... and then once it's no longer "refrigerated," you aren't supposed to put it back into a fridge. So I think the travel really depends on how long you're traveling around for once you land. Bc I know traveling with ice packs through TSA is a nightmare bc they don't like ice packs and they want to test them and finger and touch all your things. Which I don't like anyone touching my MEDS that I don't know much less going off with them somewhere. If you're traveling for less than 21 days. You could just take what you need while you're gone. And Inject during the trip.. if you can keep them at room temp. This is the part that is hard. Plus depending on the country you may or may not be able to bring them in. Compounds I have 0 clue what the stability is on those and TBH I doubt very seriously anyone does. Stability studies are done on FDA regulated drugs but NOT compounded medicine. If you have a shipping address to where you are going you would need to contact the pharmacy to find out if it is even legal for them to ship within that country. The last thing you want to do is end up in prison in Thailand over a weightloss med. If it were me, I would wait until travel were over. Or I would just inject before I left and then again when I got home. You have 14 days for it to cycle out of your body completely to have to "start over" in doses.

[@KetosisMom]

But short answer.. yes. I will look up the TSA guidelines around this and do a video bc I know this is a question of many. Including myself bc I did ask emerge could you travel with the vials as they are glass and I think this could be a potential hazard 🤔

[@kimberlychapleski2017]

I was on zepbound via weight watchers and couldn’t get the 5mg dose locally (and my insurance wouldn’t approve staying on 2.5 🙄). I did switch to wegovy. I do not find it as effective (especially with food noise). I’m hoping going up in dose (and being able to get it 🤞🏻) will make a difference.

[@KetosisMom]

I didn't know insurance could deny being on a certain dose ? That's the 1st I've ever heard of that

[@kimberlychapleski2017]

@@KetosisMom yeah, I didn’t either. Was quite annoying.

[@KetosisMom]

@@kimberlychapleski2017 I can imagine! I don't know why they would be able to do that when the drug is in shortage and that's all that I'd available. Did you call and ask them why?

[@hettygreen1488]

I did 1 month of Wegovy before it went into shortage last summer. I did not have any side effects like I do on Zepbound. I would try again but my Doctor doesn't like the bouncing around. I will likely try compound if I cannot find my dosage for next month.

[@KetosisMom]

which dosage are you on if you don't mine my asking ? when you swapped from wegovy to Zepbound what level did they start you at?

[@hettygreen1488]

I only had one month on the start dose of Wegovy and then it went on backorder. That was June. Then nothing until I started Zepbound in March of this year. ( the Dr was reluctant to switch and then had to appeal a denial for me) I just started 5mg after 2.5 for 10 weeks. @@KetosisMom

[@melissacrump6061]

Omg yes I go down in weight then go up and up two weeks almost like I gain what I lost plus a little, then I lose. It’s crazy and messes with your mind.

[@KetosisMom]

are you on any other meds? it 100% does mess with your head but that's why I like to only look at beg of month vs end of month and not everyday like ww clinic wants logged. I mean I do it... but I only look at the whole month lost # each month and bank it into my total lost

[@melissacrump6061]

@@KetosisMom yes I do have other meds I take too. I have chronic pain (neck and back) and nerve issues. They always say the scale doesn’t define you, but that’s what doctors go by…it’s a hard habit to re-train your mind. 🩷

[@KetosisMom]

@@melissacrump6061 I always recommend ppl take pictures(for themselves) and measurements too. often my scale doesn't move and then my inches do

[@valeriemartini6315]

Why would they extend shortages? Do they have something new they’re working on. Lilly. I went to Ozempic and not sure how I feel about it as this is first week. I started with .5.

[@KetosisMom]

Lmk how it goes swapping please? Bc I remember ppl saying they felt the wegovy/ozempic was more concentrated/higher bc I saw ppl swapping from there to zepbound saying their Dr started them at 5 or 7.5 .... and yes the ones I mention in the video are phase 3 clinical with timeline of early next year approvals.

[@KetosisMom]

*it's easier to make pills than it is injections. also more cost effective. and if they also combine the muscle loss meds with weightloss they fix the "problem" with zepbound of patients losing too much muscle mass*

[@valeriemartini6315]

@@KetosisMom if people on medication don’t move more and lift during the process they will lose muscle 💪. Any extreme weight loss.

[@KetosisMom]

@valeriemartini6315 correct I did the video on week 4 (I think?) on maintaining muscle while losing! anyone not even on medication is at risk of losing muscle ! and even more as you age unfortunately

[@jannamurray]

I’m considering Wegovy. Can you provide an update here in a couple/few weeks?

[@myhealthspace]

Yikes! I could not have that doctor. I have had to remind a doctor before that they are being paid to work for me but I don’t respond well to threats lol. Did they even say why?

[@KetosisMom]

when I asked why she said they (as in she and the MD) felt they were too extreme to give anyone and they are not studied enough. she also told me the side effects are bad. that people without a gallbladder such as myself can have serious issues. I said "what is the issue with the gall bladder?" and she "could not remember but there was something. she would have to ask the Dr again" 🤨 I looked it up when I left. And online says yes AND no. it says the processing of fat can cause bile duct obstruction ...also pancreatitis. Which I knew about. But I haven't had any issues. When I had my GB removed they told me I could not longer eat Fat at all and needed to only have lean protein and carbs. I had MORE problems with carbs than I did fat and ended up going Keto * high fat low carb and felt the best I had ever felt. post cholecystectomy (for me). I think what Dr's need to realize is that we are not all the same mold nor do we all fit into the same peg. everyone's body reacts differently, to everything.

[@myhealthspace]

@@KetosisMom sounds like she just doesn’t want to like it. I have another question and wondered if there is somewhere I can send you an email or dm.

[@myhealthspace]

Nevermind I just found your email 😊

[@KetosisMom]

@@myhealthspace I'm on IG @ketosismom for DM or email [e-mail] there is also a "contact me" section on ketosismom.net

[@jodytabor9270]

Wow. I would get on another PCP list.

[@KetosisMom]

I'm trying! only person I have found available is the NP that sees patients at the Endo office

[@frankfantazzi2045]

If I had your A1C numbers I would go on vacation stop worrying you don’t have a problem other than worrying

[@KetosisMom]

It's really just the weight packing on and the lack of movement and how hard it is on my already piss poor joints. I didn't want to keep gaining weight and then have a heart attack basically. I wish they had tested my insulin like I had asked them to... but... they didnt

[@MounjarojourneywithPam]

I don’t like your primary Dr I’d be looking for another one

[@KetosisMom]

they've always put me on edge by going in. I told my husband when he started going there bc he also could not get in anywhere else to expect them to hand him a magazine as well even though he is NOT overweight in any way. Based on his BMI he is "over weight" but that is why BMI is dumb. Bc when I met him I think he was less that 5% body fat Smh he might be 8% now 😂

[@deniseshorten9443]

I was on Zepbound 5 mgs then I went to Emerge and took my second month of 5 mgs. Then there was some issue with communication and I wanted to go up to 7.5 mgs. But looks like they are sending me 5.0 mgs again third month for this dosage.

[@KetosisMom]

Did they submit it wrong? or they had already submitted it before the request? i think I saw an email they had sent out to members that the goal was 4 weeks 2.5 and then 4 weeks 5 mg - i could be wrong I need to go and find it. I try to keep up with everything theyre doing and sending out. Have you been losing on the 5 mg? Which pharmacy do you receive from via emerge?

[@deniseshorten9443]

@@KetosisMom they are saying that I put the wrong phone number on my intake form. Which is funny because if I did how did I get the first text from them? They text me first not the other way. They said that they sent out a text to a different number they had for me on Tuesday then submitted the order for me on Wednesday. I thought it said they would refill on the 24 for me not the 21. I took my last 5 mgs of trizeptide today. I wanted to move up to the 7.5 mgs but since they have already submitted the order I will be on 5 mgs for yet another month 3 months total on 5 mgs. I'm losing about a pound a week so far for this month.

[@deniseshorten9443]

@@KetosisMom sorry I forgot to tell you the pharmacy it's Hallendale Pharmacy in Ft Lauderdale Florida

[@KetosisMom]

@deniseshorten9443 That's actually really great to hear you're having a great response. LMK how the 7.5 mg goes when you switch? I was supposed to be 2.5 for 4 weeks 5 for 4 weeks and then to 7.5 and THEN nothing could be found but 2.5 lol

[@KetosisMom]

@deniseshorten9443 yes I know a lot of ppl who have been on Compounds from there

[@samanthastorm9953]

That medical practice is absurd and cruel. Is it against blood pressure and statin meds?

[@KetosisMom]

evidently not bc after 1 reading of me being at 130 over 80 something she tried to tell me she was going to have to put me on BP meds ... 😵🥴

[@ChloeBianca92]

Find a Dr who has a good compound pharmacy

[@KetosisMom]

my insurance covers name brand why would I want to pay 10x more for a compound that is not sterile, tested, validated, or Fda approved

[@ChloeBianca92]

@@KetosisMom Big Pharma….